SPDW vs VUG
State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF
Which is better, SPDW or VUG?
Large Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
SPDW led over 1Y, VUG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPDW is less concentrated, with 13.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.5%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | SPDW | VUG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Tie | 0.03%Tie |
| AUM | $40.8B | $232.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.01% | 0.38% |
| Holdings | 2,440 | 150 |
| YTD Return | +11.12% | +11.26%Best |
| 1Y Return | +18.59%Best | +13.79% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +19.81% | +24.86%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +9.02% | +13.11%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 17.5% | 17.4%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -62.2% | -51.4%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $15,400 | $18,514Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 13.1%Best | 63.5% |
| Fund Family | State Street Investment Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Apr 20, 2007 | Jan 26, 2004 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Apr 26, 2007 to Oct 14, 2026 (19.5 years).
SPDW vs VUG growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 19.5 years both funds cover.
SPDW vs VUG Performance
State Street SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (SPDW) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management and Vanguard Morningstar Growth ETF (VUG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year SPDW returned +18.59% while VUG returned +13.79%. Year to date, SPDW is up 11.12% versus a gain of 11.26% for VUG.
Over three years, SPDW compounded at +19.81% per year against +24.86% for VUG; over five years the annualized figures are +9.02% and +13.11% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VUG has the edge at +11.97% annualized vs +2.88%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPDW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 17.5% compared with 17.4% for VUG. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -62.2% for SPDW and -51.4% for VUG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.81. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
SPDW charges 0.03% per year while VUG charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $3 annually. On income, SPDW currently yields 3.01% against 0.38% for VUG.
Holdings Overlap
0.2% of SPDW's money is in holdings VUG also owns. 1.8% of VUG's money is in holdings SPDW also owns.
VUG and SPDW share little of their money.
3 positions in common, counted across the 2,390 positions we hold weights for in SPDW and 146 in VUG, against full books of 2,440 and 150.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 143 positions for VUG that do not appear in our book for SPDW (98.1% of the fund), and 45 for SPDW that do not appear in VUG (6.4%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of SPDW and VUG you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, SPDW or VUG?
SPDW has an expense ratio of 0.03% while VUG charges 0.03%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, SPDW or VUG?
Over the past year SPDW returned +18.59% vs +13.79% for VUG, so SPDW leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), SPDW annualized +2.88% vs +11.97% for VUG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, SPDW or VUG?
SPDW has been the more volatile fund at 17.5% annualized versus 17.4% for VUG. Worst drawdown: SPDW -62.2% vs VUG -51.4%.
Should I hold both SPDW and VUG?
SPDW and VUG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.81, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between SPDW and VUG?
1.8% of VUG's money is in holdings SPDW also owns. 1.8% of VUG's is in holdings SPDW also owns. They hold 3 positions in common, counted across the 2,390 positions we hold weights for in SPDW and 146 in VUG.
Which pays a higher dividend, SPDW or VUG?
SPDW yields 3.01% while VUG yields 0.38%, so SPDW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VUG better than SPDW?
SPDW led over 1Y, VUG over 3Y, 5Y and the full window. SPDW is less concentrated, with 13.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 63.5%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.